Children at our reception?

Question

My fiance and I are having my sisters and his sisters children in our wedding (2 flower girls and 2 ring bearers). We are thinking of inviting all of the children from our families to the reception, but are concerned with the cost at the country club. Do places of this sort typically charge the same per head for children or is there a seperate price for the kids?

Also, any ideas on how to keep the kids entertained? I'm sure they will love the dancing. But to keep them otherwise occupied we were going to put goody bags together with coloring books, etc. Any other ideas?

Answer 1

At my wedding they had a separate price for the kids, and the meal was chicken fingers and french fries. Obviously, totally different than what we served the adults, but certainly something the kids liked. We only had a couple kids, so it really wasn't a problem. My great-nephew clung to my son and his friend most of the night and the other boy stayed with his dad and behaved impeccably. Goodie bags sound great, coloring books and crayons are an excellent way to keep the kids occupied. Best wishes!

Answer 2

I think kids are the most beautiful part of a wedding ceremony,well excluding the bride and groom.

You should call the place of your reception and ask the questions you are asking here. You will have to do that anyway in the planning process.

I think goody bags are a great idea, maybe you could also ask at the country club if they can create a small corner in the room for the kids and let them enjoy the festivities.

If you will relax about the kids you will have more fun and so will they.

My 3 year old grandson walked me down the isle and was also ring bearer and he stood between us (LOL) at our 15 year renewal. We had a full blown formal wedding.

Good Luck and Congratulations!

Answer 3

Kudos for you for having wonderful children at your celebration! What the caterers do with children really seems to vary, so you need to check with them. Usually they won't charge for a child under a certain age, and/or have a reduced charge. They know kids don't eat much, and little ones pretty much eat off their parents' plates. Kids do love the dancing, and the visiting, and the goody bag is a great idea - I remember my son getting one at a wedding once and he still has the little Care Bear that came with it!
We were at a wedding a few years ago, where at the dance they had a lady do balloon animals and hats. She was a friend or relative, so I don't think they would have paid her, but just for the balloons I'm assuming. It was such a hit... for us goofy adults as well.

Answer 4

You need to dicuss the cost with the country club. Each venue is different. You may be able to lessen the cost by offering the children a different (think kid friendly) meal such as chicken fingers, spagetti, or mac and cheese.

The goodie bags are a great idea. You could include coloring books, crayons, small containers of playdough, puzzles, etc. Check out http://www.orientaltrading.com/ for all kinds of craft kits, supplies, and small toys. You can also get wedding decorations and favors through them.

Answer 5

Talk with the country club about kids' prices. Hopefully they'll be able to work with you.
My friend had a ton of kids at her wedding. She put together bags with coloring books and crayons, little McDonald's Happy Meal toys, and bubbles in them. For the most part, they were entertained during the dancing but accessed the bags during cocktail hour and dinner.
I'm so glad you're thinking ahead about this. Congratulations!

Answer 6

I'm also getting married at a country club, and we are having lots of children invited as well. The country club told me children would be $67.50 (vs. around 150 for adults) and would be welcome to order the children's meal, or the adult meal at that price. Most places will not charge full price for kids, since they won't be consuming any alcohol. I'm doing the goody bag deal too. I bought inexpensive canvas tote bags, and am filling them with age appropriate games,toys, etc, and also juice boxes, mini bags of cookies etc, since I know some little ones aren't going to be into the wedding food. For the older kids (like 8-12) I bought word puzzle type books, playing cards, origami books etc. I also had my baker make a few dozen fancy wedding cake cookies with their names on them as their place card.

Answer 7

At my wedding I am having a kids buffet while the adults will be having plated dinners. The cateror is charging a way cheaper price p/kid too, you really just have to ask when considering who will cater. I just didn't want to go through all the bull of NOT inviting kids lol

Answer 8

Many caterers will quote you a separate price for children. At my daughter's wedding we used a different room and hired 4 sitters. WE had plenty of fun stuff for the kids and parents left their children there. They appreciated being able to enjoy an adult evening and knowing their kids were close by so they could check on them. All had a great time.

Answer 9

At bouquet throwing time, ask all of the kids to come out to the floor and your and your husband can throw candy to them. I did that at my wedding and it was a hit!
You can invite the kids, but most people will opt to leave their kids with a sitter if it's at the country club. Inviting kids still leaves the option of those without sitters to still attend. I missed my cousin's wedding recently because they didn't ask kids and I didn't have a sitter. I was disappointed. The kids really would have loved to go.

Answer 10

you will have to pay full price for them unless you arrange to have some friends take them all to McDonald's and bring them back for a short time after the meal is over. Then have a team of babysitters to entertain them in another room Hire a clown and have ballooons. give small prisesfor games, suggest to parents that they bring play clothes so they can change out of the good clothes. I think they would also love a bubble blower